Understanding Your Water Bill

In consideration of staff report CR-24-053 respecting Water and Wastewater Rates for 2024-2025, Council has approved on May 27, 2024 that the water rates will increase by 4% over the 2023-2024 water rates.

2024-2025 Water and Wastewater Rates:
Rates are based on the size of property water meters and are effective as of July 1, 2024.

Monthly Water Consumption Charges:

Note:  1 M3 (cubic meter) = 220 gallons (or 1,000 litres)

All rates shown are for properties within the boundaries of the City of Owen Sound. Rates for properties outside the City of Owen Sound boundaries are double the amounts shown above. The monthly service charge plus applicable wastewater charges will constitute a minimum bill during a month without water consumption.

Wastewater Charges:

The wastewater rate is 124% of the customer's total water charges (water consumption charge plus water service charge).

Click here to view a printable version of our 2024 water/wastewater rates.

2025 Water Rates:

In April of 2025, through Report CR-25-043, the Operations Committee recommended that City Council:

1. Approve the financial plan as presented;
2. Direct staff to bring forward an amendment to the Fees and
   Charges By-law which includes: 
   1. A five percent (5%) increase to water rates in the 2025 Fees and Charges By-law, effective July 1, 2025; and
   2. Maintaining the wastewater surcharge at 124% of the water rate.

See the FAQs on the 2025 Water Rates in the drop down accordion below.

Q: Why are water rates increasing?
A: The City of Owen Sound is responsible for maintaining $971 million worth of underground water and wastewater infrastructure, which provides safe drinking water and reliable wastewater collection and treatment to residents and businesses. Rates are increasing to:

• Fund the rising cost of operations.
• Carry out essential capital renewal.
• Build reserves for future infrastructure needs.
• Maintain regulatory compliance.

Q: What will the rate change mean for me?
A: For a typical home using 200 m3 of water per year, the combined water and wastewater bill will increase by about 5%. This is approximately $6.70 more per month or $80 more per year.

Q: When will the new rates take effect?
A: The new rates will be effective starting July 1, 2025.

Q: Who pays for water and wastewater services?
A: Water and wastewater services are fully funded by user fees - not property taxes. Only those who use the system pay for it.

Q: Why is there a fixed charge AND a usage charge?
A: The City uses a mixed rate system.  The fixed charge covers infrastructure plus treating and delivering water to your address. The usage charge reflects actual water consumption and encourages conservation.  There is also a Waste Water Charge to remove water from your address, treat it appropriately and realse the water back for safe consumption.  This charge is 124% of water consumption + water service charge total.

Q: What is the City investing in for water and waste water?
A: Key projects include:

• Replacing all water meters with modern digital meters.
• Watermain and wastewater system upgrades.
• Pumping station and treatment plant maintenance.
• Building financial reserves to reduce future borrowing.

The City of Owen Sound has a number of options available to our customers for payment of your water bill:

• In person: At City Hall during normal business hours. We accept payment by cheque, cash, or debit.
  
  
• Cheques: Cheques may be dropped in the after-hours drop box located at the front door of City Hall - please include the detachable portion of your bill. We recommend that you place your cheque in a sealed envelope with 'water billing' written upon it. Please do not place cash in the drop box.
  
  
• At your bank or trust company: Pay at the teller or through an ATM. You are responsible to pay any service charges levied by them. Please take the entire bill with you.
  
  
• Internet/telephone banking: Most financial institutions offer the "City of Owen Sound" or "Owen Sound City" as one of their payments. Be sure to pick "Water" and not taxes to ensure that your payment is applied to the correct account.
  
  
• Mail: You may mail your cheque to City Hall - please include the detachable portion of the bill.
  City of Owen Sound - Water Billing Department 
  808 2nd Ave East
  Owen Sound, ON
  N4K 2H4

• Pre-authorized payment (PAD) plan: Payments are automatically deducted from your bank account on the due date of each bill.
  

  Set up a pre-authorized debit plan to pay your Water Bill conveniently and efficiently. Payments are automatically deducted from your bank account on the due date of each bill. Residents are provided the convenient option to either:

  • Complete a pre-authorized debit plan online form, or
  • Complete, sign, print, and return a pre-authorized debit plan pdf along with a void cheque to the Owen Sound Water Billing Department.

  Returned payments (i.e. NSF) are subject to a $40.00 charge as well as penalty charges. 

  To be eligible to enroll in any of our PAD plans, there must be no outstanding arrears on your water account.
  
  Pre-authorized payment Cancellation

  If you would like to end your enrollment in our pre-authorized debit plan for water billing, please return the completed
  Pre-Authorization Cancellation form to us at least 10 days prior to your next due date.
  
  

  Banking Information Change

  If you are currently enrolled in our pre-authorized debit plan and wish to update your banking information, 
  a Banking information Change Request form must be submitted along with a new void cheque.
  
  

• Credit card: Payments may be completed through Paymentus. This secure, third-party online payment provider accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express for a convenience fee.
  Online: Paymentus 
• Over the phone: 1-888-253-8916Guidelines:
• There is a processing fee of 2.5% for credit card transactions.
• The maximum payment is $5,000.00 per transaction. Multiple payments can be made as separate transactions toward your account.
• Please allow up to two business days for processing.
• You will receive an e-mail confirmation of payment for online payments or a confirmation number by phone.
• You will need your 11-digit water account number to make a payment.

Payment must be received at City Hall by the due date to avoid penalty. A late payment charge of 1.5% (18% per annum) is calculated on the amount outstanding and will be added to the water utility account on the 15th of each month after the due date, and on the 15th of each month thereafter. 

For more information, questions, or comments please contact our Utilities Collection Clerk at 519-376-4440 ext. 1243 or waterbilling@owensound.ca.

Owen Sound City Hall

808 2nd Avenue East

Owen Sound, ON

Email: waterbilling@owensound.ca

Phone: 519-376-4440 ext. 1243